Unsure of your student's English level? Check out our Arrive Ministries Language Assessment.
Comprehensive Pre-Beginner Resources
(Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing)
ABC English Books 1 and 2
2014 CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Full preview and teacher activity guide available on website.
Life Prints Literacy Level
2001 New Reader's Press
Reading and Writing Specific Resources
Note: If your student chooses a reading and writing specific book, you can still work to develop listening and speaking by supplementing the lesson. Consider using a picture dictionary such as Oxford Picture Dictionary and using GPA methods to acquire new vocabulary. Reach out to Melissa for more information.
SALT Primer and Beyond ABC books
We especially recommend these books if your student is not literate in either Somali or English. Attend a SALT 101 class or contact Melissa for a primer training.
2003 Pearson Longman
These books less accessible without tutor training. Many copies available at the SALT office for a small donation.
Journey to Success Introductory Level
2019 New Reader's Press
ESL Phonics for all Ages
2021 Elizabeth Claire's Easy English News
Many links to purchase leveled phonics resources on this website.
Listening and Speaking Specific Resources
SIL English English Language Lessons Phase 1
2021 SIL International
These lessons follow the Growing Participator Approach (GPA). GPA can be especially effective with preliterate learners because the early phases are completely oral and do not rely on any prior knowledge of reading and writing. The first 7 lessons focus exclusively on listening, gradually adding speaking activities in lesson 8.
Sharing Bible Stories at this Level: Use Picture Stories
Use wordless picture stories and discuss the story together picture-by-picture. Many Bible picture stories can be downloaded for free at freebibleimages.org.
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Follow a method such as SIL English Lessons Phase 2A for ideas to use pictures effectively. Because your student’s speaking ability may be very limited at this point, be prepared to spend a long time on each picture building vocabulary.
SALT-compiled Bible picture lessons
Note about Abraham Sequencing and Easter Storyboard: Your student may not be able to read and order the sentences at this level. Focus on oral understanding of each picture and matching each picture with a key word or phrase.